News and Views from the Heart of Teller County.

Tag: Holidays

  • Stars, Stripes, and Small-Town Fun: Celebrating the 4th of July in Cripple Creek

    Stars, Stripes, and Small-Town Fun: Celebrating the 4th of July in Cripple Creek

    Two full days of small-town patriotism, fireworks, and fun for the whole family

    Cripple Creek is pulling out all the stops for a star-spangled celebration. On July 4th and 5th, head down Highway 67 for the town’s Independence Weekend Celebration, a family-friendly event packed with food, live music, games, classic cars, and one of the best fireworks shows in all of Colorado.

    This year marks the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and Cripple Creek is inviting everyone to help ring in the occasion. Quite literally. One of the celebration’s key traditions includes “Ring the Bell for Freedom,” a chance for kids and adults alike to give the bell a ring and reflect on what freedom means.

    Thursday, July 4:

    The day kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with food trucks, vendors, and activities across town, including stops at the Heritage Center, City Park, and the American Legion on Bennett Avenue.

    Highlights include:

    • Live music
    • Classic cars and military vehicles
    • Cripple Creek’s famous donkeys
    • Victorian personalities walking the streets
    • Games and prizes for kids
    • O.U.T. West Art Show
    • Root beer floats, food, and a beer tent
    • Vendors open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Stick around after dark for the main event — an epic fireworks display lighting up the skies over Cripple Creek, sponsored by the City and launched by the pros at Zambelli Fireworks. The Heritage Center will stay open until 10 p.m. for the best view in town.

    Friday, July 5:

    The fun rolls into Friday with more music, food, and activities along the 300 and 400 blocks of East Bennett Avenue.

    Don’t miss:

    • Live performances
    • First responder demos
    • More kids’ games and prizes
    • A street dance from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. to close out the weekend

    Whether you come for the cars, the dancing, the food, or the fireworks, Cripple Creek’s Independence Weekend Celebration delivers a classic, high-country Fourth of July experience with a hometown feel.

    So grab your flags, load up the family, and head for the hills. This is what summer in Teller County is all about.

  • Woodland Park’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Returns for its 59th Year

    Woodland Park’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Returns for its 59th Year

    Games, parades, pie, and patriotism in Memorial Park

    There’s no better place to spend Independence Day than Memorial Park in Woodland Park, where the 59th Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration is set to bring the community together for a full day of family-friendly fun.

    This year’s celebration takes place on Friday, July 4, 2025, and runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (note the earlier start time for this year only). The change is to accommodate two exciting partners — the Arts & Crafts Market and the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, both running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Farmers Market will take this weekend off.

    This hometown favorite offers a mix of small-town charm and big summer energy, with games, vendors, live music, great food, beer, and margaritas all packed into one festive day.

    Games and Activities

    Get ready to compete, cheer, or just laugh along at a full lineup of old-school games and contests, including:

    • Pie Eating Contest
    • Watermelon Eating Contest
    • Tug of War
    • Sack Races
    • 3-on-3 Basketball
    • Karaoke
    • Line Dancing
    • Fishing Derby
    • Dunk Tank
    • New this year: All American Costume Parade
    • Firework Show (Starts just after sunset)

    Whether you’re there to win the pie-eating crown or just want to see someone get dunked, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

    Community-Focused and Fundraising-Driven

    In true Teller County fashion, this celebration is also about giving back. Proceeds from the event support Divide Mountain Explorers, the Lions Club, and the Colorado Phoenix Project. So every funnel cake, raffle ticket, or cold drink helps support a good cause.

    Between the local vendors, homemade crafts, and entrepreneurial kids showing off their business skills, this year’s celebration is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

    Come early, bring sunscreen, and enjoy a classic 4th of July the Woodland Park way.